Chinese Medicine considers the spleen the primary organ of digestion. I think of the spleen metaphorically as the conductor of an orchestra. The orchestra can function without a conductor, but it performs better when it has a strong conductor. As an example, I watched my daughter perform in a local choir contest. Both of the top contenders were so good that it was difficult to choose between them. A small choir of eight singers had a brilliant conductor, and the results were just amazing. My daughter sang in a choir with a larger number of singers and no conductor. They performed equally well, but each child had to perform at a high level.
Systems
Both systems work. The point I want to make is that each player (organ) must be strong, healthy, and capable of performing at their best. The overall balance will be affected if one member of the group becomes sick. It is impossible to ensure that each organ stays healthy with the way we live today. The balance will be upset by any drug, antibiotic, or hormonal treatment. Our body is an amazing piece of equipment. It should be left up to the designer to fix it.
Our bodies have self-regulating mechanisms that go beyond our current understanding. We live unnaturally, eat unsustainably, and are exposed to stresses that are far more than the basic survival needs we had. Our nervous system is affected by stress to the point that we can live our entire lives in an active alert state. This keeps us in our sympathetic nervous systems, which shuts out the unconscious parasympathetic nervous system. It then has a hard time digesting and breathing. This creates an environment where germs thrive.
Oriental Medicine
Oriental medicine has made some progress in understanding the body. It treats the body with respect and heals only by supporting the organs and systems, rather than chemically eliminating all bacteria. The Western medical system has lost sight of the whole because it is so complex. Louis Pasteur made a significant breakthrough in understanding how germs survive within the body. Pasteur discovered that germs require very specific conditions in order to survive. When these conditions are altered, germs die. Instead of using broad-spectrum antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral drugs to eradicate the germ and cause immense damage to the liver, and the entire body, it is better to change the conditions.
The germ will die if the temperature, pH balance, or light conditions are not right. Pasteur discovered that different conditions are suitable for different germs and therefore, a very specific treatment is necessary. This is far from the current approach. These conditions adversely affect the spleen and emotional trauma. Humidity and damp conditions can have a significant impact on the spleen. Immuno-suppressant drugs, sedentary lifestyles, and other factors can also cause dampness.
Exercise
Exercise can help reduce body moisture levels. It also uses more vibrant yang energy to counter the passive yin energy in the spleen. When our limbs ache or our digestive system doesn’t work as it should, we feel dampness in our bodies. Our head can also feel fuzzy and unclear. A weak spleen can also be a sign that you have allergies to wheat or dairy. You may also experience cravings for sugar, alcohol, cigarettes, or other abusive behaviours. When humidity and dampness are present in the environment, or when trauma or stress is affecting our digestion, we need to support our spleen by providing the right food to help maintain a healthy internal environment.
Jasmine tea and green tea have great properties that help to remove dampness. Lemons, garlic, parsley, onions, kidney beans and aduki beans are all good options for reducing dampness. The body’s blood flow is healthy and clean when the spleen does its job well. This helps to keep germs away from your body. This is a powerful thought that shows how easy it is to achieve health.